Page 48 of Every Time We Touch

“Your mom invited me out of pity.” At least, he chuckles. “And I’m glad to be here.”

“Pity?” Playing dumb seems like the easiest route to take. “For what?”

“I asked Clancy for a second chance this week and she turned me down,” Dad says, an unbearable twinge of sadness in his voice. “It serves me right for punching above my weight like that.”

My limbs stiffen. Why can’t he be over her already? Although, pot and kettle and so on.

“Sorry, Dad.” My heart beats in double time as I hurry into the kitchen—away from him.

“It’s alive!” Heather exclaims dramatically. “Did I do something to you that I’m not aware of?” she asks. “That you’ve been avoiding me?”

“Work has been an absolute nightmare this week. I’m sorry.”

“Last I heard, you hated work,” Heather says.

I walk up to my sister and give her a hug I didn’t know I needed. “Please, leave it for now,” I manage to whisper in her ear.

“Come here, darling.” Mom has sidled up to us and holds her arms open to me. “I missed you.” I sink into my mother’s hug and let her hold me for a bit—for as long as I get the chance. Because I’m one of four children, and when Austin and Lauren arrive at the same time, their significant others and kids in tow, the house becomes a whirlwind of hellos and hugs, and I get to breathe easy for a little while.

Mom tells us a few amusing things that happened on her location shoot, then raves about how amazing Avery Hall is. Conversation flows and I try to pretend that I’m not fooling the people I love the most in the world, but that would also include pretending that Clancy doesn’t exist, and that’s just not possible.

“I think I know what’s going on with Jen,” Austin says, out of the blue. “You have that glow about you.” His voice is high-pitched and his tone adamant. “A gay brother knows when his sister is seeing someone.”

“What?” I shake my head. “I’m not.”

“You’re walking a little different, too.” Juan loves nothing more than adding fuel to any fire. “I won’t say it in front of the kiddies, but—” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “You know.”

“Say what?” Wyatt asks. “It’s not because Lucas is still so young that you can’t tell me.” Thank god for the distracting powers of my nephew.

While Heather tries to explain to her son why he’s still too young to hear certain things, I try to stare daggers at Austin and Juan, but they’re either oblivious to the incrimination in my glance, or they don’t care—probably the latter.

“It’s a little insensitive to ask Jen about that in front of Dad right now.” Heather comes to my rescue.

“That’s perfectly okay,” Dad says. “It’s not because my love life is down the drain that I don’t wish for Jen to meet someone.” He cocks his head. “And I actually agree with Austin.” Dad looks at me, making my stomach turn in on itself even more. “I think you are seeing someone. I know you, and I can tell. There’s something different about you.”

Jesus Christ. What is this? And have they all been talking about me behind my back? Of course, they have. I’ve done it myself about one of them a million times. There aren’t many secrets in this family.

“I’m not seeing anyone.” I couldn’t sound more defensive if I tried—as if not every single one of them will see right through me. I love my family and how open we are with each other, but I could definitely do without it now. But none of this is their fault.

“Let’s give Jen a break,” Mom says. “Okay?” We’re all adults but, luckily, she still has some authority over us—although it won’t last long.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Dad says. “I’m just working through my own stuff.”

This is the worst brunch of my life.

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” Dad continues, turning this into some sort of group therapy session I definitely do not want to be a part of.

“Excuse me.” I get up and make for the bathroom. As I walk through the hallway, footsteps sound behind me. I know it’s Heather.

“Jen. Hey,” she says, her voice much warmer than before. “What’s going on? What’s got you so out of sorts?”

“Let’s go outside for a minute.” I walk us into the backyard.

“I’m getting a little worried here,” Heather says, her gaze too kind on me.

Tears sting behind my eyes. How can falling in love make me feel like this? So conflicted and ready to break the fuck down?

“I am seeing someone,” I whisper. “I am in love, but…”